Illinois may soon become the most populous U.S. state to grant a form of driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, after the nation’s growing Hispanic population boosted the power of Democrats in national and state elections on November 6.

A bipartisan group of Illinois politicians announced on Tuesday they would propose such a law when the legislature convenes on November 27. […]

The measure would expand to undocumented immigrants Illinois’ existing temporary visitor driver’s license, used by legal immigrants. The licenses are “visually distinct” from ordinary licenses, with a purple background and the words “not valid for identification” on the front, explained Lawrence Benito, chief executive of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

* The Question: Should Illinois provide drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

Don’t think it will make a difference. An undocumented alien, with or without a drivers license, most likely won’t risk stopping if involved in an accident. Probably won’t drive any better or worse with a license either.

I have changed my mind on this and immigration reform in general. I used to believe that immigration threatened the environment, but now favor both. Like gay marriage and marijuana legalization it is an issue whose time has come.

To me it is common sense. Anybody who is living here and either working, going to school, staying home with the kids, etc., should be able to drive on the same basis as anybody else. If that does not pertain, it will cause social dislocation and even pathological behavior.

Yes, for the sole reason of helping ensure people driving have undergone training and a test. Will it prevent all illegals from driving without a license? No. But it might encourage many to do it the proper way without fear.

I support this on several levels, most important of which is that it is the just thing to do. Many of these individuals are trying to work or go to school but are hampered because of their lack of driver’s license. Whether or not we like it, undocumented immigrants are all around us. They are our neighbors, cub scout den moms and friends and children of friends. These people should not be deported and deportation is not a feasible option. Allowing them to drive is hardly granting them citizenship. They should be working legitimate jobs, paying taxes and helping contribute to society and the economy. Allowing driving privileges is a step in the right direction. Bring these people out of the shadows.

I’m not sure that’s possible, but think of it this way: undocumented people live here. They drive on our roads. Why wouldn’t we want them to pass a rules of the road test, an eye exam and require them to obtain insurance?

They’re here. They’re driving. Let’s make them as safe as possible while the feds sort out the larger immigration issue.

I do not believe illegal-undocumented immigrants should be allowed drivers licenses. Although it does beg the question, if there have a government ID, are they now documented illegal immigrants? Maybe I’m trying to use too much logic, but it just does not make sense in this instance. It made perfect sense to give those who were here legally and documented driver’s licenses, but this is a little too far and a little too pandering. I understand the role politics plays in policy, but it’s always best to have good public policy instead of good politics.

Just for the record, while I voted no to the drivers license for illegal immigrants, I support the DREAM act and amnesty in a comprehensive national immigration bill.

From talking to insurance industry sources, I suspect that some carriers will still refuse to write coverage for undocumented workers since underwriting looks at more than just if the person has a driver’s license.

Still, if some carriers provide coverage it could take care of a lot of UM claims against these drivers.

I’m not concerned about the “but the law says they shouldn’t be here!” argument. The law says a lot of things. Somehow I doubt that most of the people screaming BUT IS IS THE LAW drive 55. If you are going to scream about enforcing the law, scream about all the laws and not just the laws that fit your perspective.

Yes, though I wonder if many illegals would fear to apply for one, as their personal information would be in the hands of the government. Many illegals in my town refuse to respond to the census for this reason.

This is like a circle-jerk argument. I totally get the argument to have insured drivers on the roads. But the counter argument is valid: now they have a valid ID, are illegals now legal? I say no based soley on the fact if you give them a license, you’ve created a slippery slope. You’re either not supposed to be in the country or you are. We seem to be a nation of band-aids and not cures. We only create more problems and not solutions with ideas like this.

Just becuase a driver has been able to pass a driver test, does not mean that they will operate a vehicle in a safe manner. Furthermore, there are too numerous cases to count where a license has been suspended or revoked and the driver has continued to operate a motor vehicle.

As others have said, it’s probably time to do this. But to mollify those on the far right, perhaps SOS can also provide those applying for an Immigrant Drivers License with the application for US Citizenship and a referral to the many service organizations who can help them understand the citizenship application process.

An Illinois driver’s license is not “documentation” that in any way changes an individual’s legal or illegal alien status. I cannot believe that this issue is reduced to such word play. We want every driver on the road to be screened for minimum skills and insured. In fact, let’s make it easier for illegal aliens to legally drive on the roads and harder for people from Wisconsin. Them Cheese-heads can’t drive worth diddly! But if they’re illegal AND from Wisconsin, no way.

Nick,
In reality, many pay payroll taxes even though they will never collect social security.
All of them pay sales taxes.
Some even pay income taxes.

By the way, the “government services” referenced in this thread is a driver’s license that they will pay for, in order to get insurance which helps protect the rest of us. Seems like a better deal for us than for them.

One last note on your post — is the problem that they are stealing our jobs, or is it that they are all on government aid? You probably should give that one some thought before posting again on this subject.

Rich, Sorry if I offended. I wasn’t trying to be cute. I am just wondering what the motivation is for politicians to push this sort of thing, short of their usual motivation. And I don’t believe that it can be assumed that the license will prompt insuring. There are plenty of citizens who are driving with licenses and no insurance now.

Irish
Under the previous bill, the newly licensed would be required to submit proof of insurance within a few days or see their driving privileges cancelled. So it’s a much stricter mechanism than applies to the rest of us.

Nearly every state that has offered driver’s licenses to unauthorized immigrants recognizes it as a mistake and no longer does so.

The 2 states still offering such licenses (New Mexico and Washington) have recently implemented stricter requirements requiring proof of residency.

Former Dem. Gov. Bill Richardson, who originally implemented New Mexico’s law in 2003, realized the deep flaws of failing to require strict proof of state residency and helped change the law in 2010. His Lt. Gov., Diane Denish, announced whil running for Governor in 2010 that “she no longer supports the law because it has not worked as intended. ‘Diane Denish does not support giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and would seek to change that law,’ Chris Cervini, Denish’s deputy campaign director.”

There have been convictions for fraud under these laws involving hundreds of individuals. Multiple recent cases involve Illinoisans who convicted of crimes ranging from fraud to human smuggling in relation to New Mexico’s law alone. New Mexico hasn’t determined methods of preventing fraud after 9 years, and implementing this policy in Illinois only makes it easier for those with criminal intent to do so.

Illinois should learn from the experience and mistakes of others. There is a right way and wrong way to do this.

How can Illinois Democrats not be in favor of a solid revenue raiser like issuing a large number of new drivers licenses? Cynicism aside, I’m ecstatic to see Republicans support this measure. Illinois doesn’t need a political football to distract from it’s budget woes. This is good for public safety above all.

Yes. It’s not legalization. It simply states that they passed a test to show that they know the rules of the road and can drive. It also provides a method to document them.

Perhaps the license can identify them as being here illegally?

We must deal with facts. Folks that are here illegally for the most part are good, hardworking people. I would likely be sneaking across the border if I were them. In fact, I might just go to Mexico and sneak across myself just for the medical care, housing, and college.

As a police officer I would first ask what proof of identity an undocumented immigrant could or should show to gain a license? If they have to meet the same requirements as an Illinois resident I think it would hard for many of them to even apply for a license. I also don’t agree at all with the argument that this would spur them to obtain insurance. In my experience it’s the cost which keeps even licensed drivers from having insurance. I don’t see most undocumented immigrants spending $100+ a month on insurance.

I voted no. It’s more of a principle decision for me than anything else. If the illegal immigrant wants to participate in the many benefits we have as legal citizens of this country and this state, then they should go through the proper channels to accomplish that.
By making a special loophole for them to get a license, it bypasses that. And just because they get a license, doesn’t mean they will keep up on the insurance. Just sit in a traffic court room and see how many people, many legal citizens too, are there for tickets for having no insurance or expired insurance.

I don’t understand why this has become an “illegals getting benefits like citizens” conversation. As a driver, if i crash into anyone, it’s in my best interests to know who they are and that they at least have taken a driving test and have insurance. That’s all a driver’s license does.It’s common sense. This isn’t giving anyone any kind of status. Not having a license will not stop these people from driving, why not issue them one so that in case you crash with one you won’t be ultimately screwed over until the federal government deals with them?

I have a classmate who risks deportation every month when she has to drive her ailing mother to the hospital for her regular check-ups. Isn’t deportation a bit of a stiff penalty for those like her who need to drive to school, the church, or hospital?

As far as I know, no one has ever tried to fly a car into a skyscraper if that’s what people are worried about. And if someone was intent on it, I don’t think not having a license would stop them anyway. Just saying …

Hell Yeah! Granted, theres always going to be some idiot that should not be driving, that being said, most folks who can’t get a legit driver’s license are just trying to get to and fro work. And to some of the people who say people shouldn’t get this bc they are committing an illegal act, they should think about who these people are and what they really are doing. If they’re doing something wrong, don’t give them anything, but if they’re jsut driving to work because well most folks aren’t lucky to live down the street from work (like most people), paying bills like everyone else what do they take away from you by having a license? How does this possibly hurt you?

Since people drive anyway,
Let’s do “Give and Get”!
Let’s give the driver’s license by getting proof of insurance.
Now, there will be a record of the individual and possible fingerprinting process
Annual Renewals with the proof of continued, uninterrupted insurance.
No proof of insurance, No license.

Immigration issue is separate. It is a Federal issue.
People should obey the laws but more importantly people should be kept safe first.

Of course, we’re all human beings! I don’t see how one human being can earn more rights than other just for moving from one place to another. But what it comes down to is… I can’t imagine life without a car, specially not here!

They are here illegaly. Why should be give them anything? My parensts came to this country and had to do everything right, then became citizens.I say NO to a drivers license. On top of that, confiscate their vehicles too. Just like they do the dope dealers.

I believe the immigration system in this country is totally out of whack. We should be expanding the numbers of folk who can come to this country to enjoy the fruits of freedom.

Unfortunately, that ain’t gonna happen soon.

I have read much of what people have written before me. It seems that the issuance of such a permit doesn’t seem to be working elsewhere - even a democrat like Bill Richardson (an Hispanic himself) has apparently decided the system didn’t work very well - very troubled, in fact.

I believe the program will pass, nonetheless. Please don’t trouble the GA with facts - I mean they know what’s best for the state (snark snark).

One question, tho. What language will the test be given in? I’m not one of those far right language whackos - I think it is a pragmatic thing. All our signs are in English. I think it is of necessity that all immigrants, legal and illegal, who seek to drive in this state with a permit should know enough of our language to navigate safely while driving. I would not support bilingual signs - too costly and too confusing. I mean - how many languages will we be putting on a yield sign?

Safe roads, economic logic, family unity. Comprehensive immigration reform is a different problem and not in the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois. Absolutely we should say yes to driver’s licenses for those who pass the driving test .

I do believe that undocuments immigrants should receive drivers licenses. Is not about to pass a test, but to have the right to drive like anyone else who has a license without being scare about being arrested. Moreover, as a human we are we the right to be treat with respect. There are many cases where people have been arrested because they don’t have license and at the same time they have been descriminated.
If immigrant would get a driven license, we may going to be a little bit more safe. I believe that we all like the truth, and without drivers licenses is almost impossible to know in an accident, when is truth when an undocument immigrant has the responsability of having been arrested.

I’m about the hardest republican you will ever come across… and I’m compassionate towards our immigrant community. Ie. There was a time when the Irish where harrassed abused and considered an immigrant problem. Do we still consider that true? Why are people being so harsh to Hispanics (Mexicans) when more than likely they’re from immigrant families. I know times have changed since then and so times are changing now. I still believe we need some type of immigration reform tied to border security at the federal level but here in Illinois these drivers licenses will provide security on the roads will boost our auto and insurance industry as well as hopefully lower our premiums. We simply should keep in mind hat these drivers licenses are not to establish residency as that would be getting involved with immigration policy.

On side note…I hope people have realized that by giving out drivers licenses to illegal immigrants we’ll. Know where they live? Just a thought.

The IRS provides undocumented persons with an ID number to use when filing their taxes. The agency implicitly acknowledges that they are here illegally, yet facilitates the process of paying taxes. I say that if a person has proof that they pay taxes and are otherwise a “productive” member of society, then they should be allowed a license to drive.

We count on undocumented workers to do our “dirty work” (clean hotels, pick fruit and vegetables, back-breaking landscaping, etc.) so I see no problem allowing them to have a SS# and D.L. with insurance. We were all undocumented at one time and set foot on someone else’s soil without papers, an invitation or right to take land that wasn’t ours. We claimed it our “Christian” duty to do so. Our “Christian” duty is to welcome the strangers and foreigners in our midst.